Formation of a bilayer film on gold substrates for connector applications: spectroscopic study of the deposition process

Abstract

The formation of a film composed of two layers on gold substrates (evaporated and electrodeposited) is reported. The bilayer film is constituted of a monolayer of n-2-perfluorohexyl-ethanethiol (F₆H₂) molecules bound to the metal surface and a supernatant lubricant film (PFPE) in which F₆H₂ molecules are present. One- and two-step deposition modes of the bilayer film are considered and the corresponding films are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results confirm the formation of a monolayer in both processes used, but it appears that the quality of the bilayer film is better in the case of the one-step process. Furthermore, the lubricant film containing F₆H₂ has the potential of self-healing the metal/bilayer interface.